The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement, by Debbie Kitterman

Foursquare pastor Debbie Kitterman sets just the right tone in The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Word of God for Others.  First of all, she makes it clear that prophecy is for today; God did not quit speaking to his people in the first century.  Christians should be listening to God and paying attention to people around them, listening for words from God and preparing to speak those words to others.

Kitterman recognizes that prophecy has been abused in the church.  Her ministry of teaching about prophecy is built around a message God spoke to her: "The misuse and abuse of prophecy inside and outside the church has to stop!"  So while she acknowledges that one element of prophecy can be "calling forth and declaring God's plans or the speaking of future events," we must never forget that "Prophecy's purpose is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort those who hear and receive it."  She writes that God does not intend prophecy to bring recognition to the person speaking prophecy, nor does she believe the intent of prophecy is ever for public shaming or public revelation of sin.

The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement is full of anecdotes and scriptural guidelines.  She provides solid guidance for reflection and testing prophetic words before you speak them.  Some people think prophecy is only for a tiny, especially gifted group of prophets.  There are some who will be more gifted, but Kitterman insists that every Christian has access to prophesy.  I was encouraged to step out in faith and try to stay tuned in to God's voice as I go about my day, asking God with whom I might share a prophetic word of encouragement.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!